In a month when a significant proportion of the UK population will be holidaying in France, it seems entirely appropriate to celebrate a little French culture, music in particular!

It is 61 years since the Allied invasion of France but it is exactly 250 years since French settlers in Nova Scotia, known as Acadia, refused to swear allegiance to the British Crown.

The resultant migration from British domination eventually took this predominantly fishing community to Louisiana (and part of Texas) where the Cajun - a phonetic abbreviation of Acadian - people flourished.

What's this got to do with music? Well, the uniquely rhythmic music of these proud and hardy folks can be heard in the area this week when Dexter Ardoin and the Creole Ramblers appear at the Hyena Cafe on Sunday night as part of the Jumpin' Hot Club's summer season. There are two main strands to the music, Cajun and Zydeco.

The former, essentially played by rural, white musicians, uses fiddle as a lead instrument. The latter is often urban but almost exclusively performed by black musicians and incorporates a strongly percussive (usually with drums) element.

Dexter Ardoin's variant uses both forms! He has maintained the essence of the form handed down from his father (Morris) and grandfather (Bois Sec), both of whom were key figures in the development of Cajun culture and achieved legendary status within the million or so Cajun community and beyond.

However, accordionist Dexter did bring his youthful exuberance to the fore in order to help the music reach a wider, and younger, audience.

He served time in bands, absorbing every nuance of the culture, with other major artists of the genre like Sheryl Cormier (where he was the drummer) and Willis Prudhomme, Nathan Williams and his cousin, Chris Ardoin.

The band's latest CD, What You Come To Do (Louisiana Radio Records) features original material and some re-workings of traditional songs from the days of his father and grandfather which often includes interplay between accordion and fiddle topped off with a Zydeco beat.

It is infectious, vibrant dance music which found a significant audience through the efforts of artists like Clifton Chenier, Rockin' Dopsie and Boozoo Chavis. Tickets are available through the usual box office number on (0191) 232 1232.

*********

A week tonight there is more music with a Louisiana base, this time at the Exchange in North Shields.

The influence of New Orleans artists like Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver can be heard in the repertoire of Papa Joe's All-Stars who appear as this month's guests at Jazz at the Exchange, on the corner of Howard Street and Saville Street in the town.

It is the band's first ever visit to the region. Tickets from Whitley Bay Playhouse on (0191) 252 3505.

**********

South Shields Customs House has a production called All That Jazz which may be of interest to fans of Bob Fosse, Cole Porter and Nelson Riddle and popular stage shows like Cabaret, Sweet Charity or Chicago.

The show - billed as a musical extravaganza - is staged on Sunday with the versatile vocalist Mark Rattray and a team of musicians and dancers. Tickets on (0191) 454 1234.

**********

It was sad to hear of the death of Ibrahim Ferrer, one of Cuba's true original voices, last week.

He was born, literally, at a Santiago social club dance in 1927 and was singing professionally by 1941.

After years of musical inactivity, he was rescued from shoe-shining obscurity by World Circuit producer Nick Gold and the great American guitarist, folklorist and historian, Ry Cooder. He made the record, Buena Vista Social Club, which sold all around the world and won a Grammy in 1998. Subsequently, in an example of the most magnificent irony, he won a Grammy himself (Latin section) in 2000, for Best New Artist!

Recent visits to Tyneside made him many new fans in the region and there can be few who would begrudge him his fame in his twilight years.